In the Year 2057

What will your world be like in 40 years?

One faces the future with one's past. – Pearl S. Buck

Recently, I talked with a millennial friend at a local Italian restaurant and asked, “What do you think your world will be like when you are my age – 40 years from now?” He just looked at me, or rather through me. A few seconds later he said, “Never really thought about it.” “I didn’t either when I was your age.” We just looked at each other for a few more seconds.

And then, I started thinking about the generations before us. I thought about what they faced and how their world changed. I looked at my young friend, “If you are fortunate to live as long as I have, your future world will be unrecognizable compared to today.” “I doubt that. Technology will keep us connected,” he said.

“Perhaps, but let’s order something to eat, I have a story to share. Actually, several stories. Stories about the past and your future. My father’s generation was called the GI Generation, sometimes called the Greatest Generation because they were born before WWI, struggled through the Great Depression, and fought in WWII.”

“They saved the world, or so they thought, and built a great nation. My father’s generation was strongly interested in personal morality and near-absolute standards of right and wrong. They had a strong sense of personal civic duty, which means they voted. They were the ‘use it up, fix it up, make it do, or do without’  generation. Most of them grew up without modern conveniences like refrigerators, electricity and air conditioning.” My friend just shook his head.

“Then, there was the ‘Silent Generation,’ they were born before 1945, or so about. They were too young to fight in WWII and too old too participate in my generation’s ‘freestyle- lifestyle.’ However, it was an era of suffocating conformity, but they benefited from postwar happiness: Peace. Jobs. Suburbia. Television. Rock ‘n Roll. Big cars. Playboy Magazine! Thank you, Hugh Hefner.” He looked at me with a quizzical look, “Who’s Hugh Hefner?” My head dropped, and I thought, “Oh my, what you missed.”

I continued, “And now my young friend, we are up to my generation,The Baby Boomers. We were born in the years following WWII. We were the save the world revolutionaries of the 60’s and 70’s. We had the Vietnam War. We fought, marched and embraced the Civil Rights movement...at least most of us did. It was a violent time and a peaceful time. My-oh-my, there was change.” He stopped me, “Were all of you at Woodstock?” This caught me off guard, I didn't think he even knew of Woodstock. Then I firmly said, “Have you been listening!” Then I caught myself, “I apologize, not all of us were at Woodstock. But we sure as hell tried.”

“Stay with me. We were truly the first television generation. For us, technology and innovation required a learning process. We went from manual typewriters to iPhones. Socially, I am sorry to say, we were too busy for neighborly involvement…which led us to where we are today.” I looked straight at him, “How many of your neighbors do you really know? My parents knew and barbecued with all their neighbors. I miss that.”

“Yes, I know I am rambling.” He smiled and said, “Yea, you are, but that’s OK. My parents tell some of the same stories.” I sensed he was just being polite.

My rambling continued, “That was my generation. Now, your older brother and sister are referred to as Generation X. No, I have no clue where the ‘X’ came from, but I think it had something to do with not wanting to be defined.” He blurted out, “My brother was a latch-key kid. I remember that term. My parents were divorced, and he had to fend for himself after school. Mom wasn’t home.” “Yea, it was a tough time for kids. They grew up very individualistic and cynical of institutions.” My young friend grinned,” Man are you right. That fits my brother to a T. He’s a real…” I stopped him before he could continue. “He may be, but he is your brother. Don’t ever forget that.”

I asked him, “How many jobs has your brother held? “Four and counting.” “That my friend is another characteristic of the ‘X’ people: Commit to self rather than an organization. Their average is 7 jobs. Me, I started and finished with the same school system – 32 years.” He looked at me in disbelief and said, “That’s more years than I am old…in one job. You must have really loved it.” I snickered, “Yes, I did…most of the time. Some of the time, I hated it! But, I struck with it.”

I took my last sip of coffee and said, “Well, young one, we are finally up to your generation – the Millennials. You were born after 1981. Right?” “Yea, way after – 1991 actually.” “To me, you are the 9/11 Generation. And you have inherited the wars that followed. You have no idea what it was like without the internet. I, and many, really worry about your dependence on technology. Have you ever planted a vegetable garden? Some sociologists have called your generation ‘entitled and narcissistic.”

He was getting a bit defensive with his body language, so I thought it best to help him refocus, “But, because you have unlimited access to information your generation seems to be very assertive and have strong views. Good characteristics. The world needs ‘assertive,’ backed with sound research.

It was almost 1:00 and we both needed to be on our way. He had to go back to work and I, I had to be…somewhere? I looked at him, as I motioned for the check saying, “How we view your generation today may be entirely different than how you and others will view it 40 years from now. My generation, we have the advantage of looking back, and wanting to look back. From the GI Generation to today.”

“I will never know what the world will be like in 20 years, let alone 40. But please consider these: Work on your social skills. Face-to-face is much better than texting, ‘I love you.’ Play with your kids outdoors. Watching a video about sled ridding isn’t nearly as much fun as actually falling off a sled trying to make a hairpin turn. Let your little boy be a boy – skinned elbows, falling off a bike,  and gravel in the knee is part of being a boy. And your little girl…show her how to throw a baseball if she wants to learn. If she doesn’t, that’s OK!”

“Please respect our family heirlooms. I didn’t know my great grandmother. But using her mashed potato bowl at Thanksgiving…she’s right beside me. And when you invite your parents for a special dinner, use the china, or at least real plates! No paper plates and paper table cloths please. Save the paper for barbecuing and Super Bowl. Damn, it’s not like they come over every week! Have some respect.”

“On respect: I respect your thirst for information, but information is useless unless it is applied. Apply yours with the idea of making the world a better place. Yea, I know. I know. It’s my 60’s coming out again. What the hell. I’m old.”

As we were leaving the restaurant and walking through the parking lot, he turned and touched my elbow to get my attention, “Mike, thank you for your stories. But, most of all, thank you for your time. And making me think. By the way, you are old!”

And that’s the way I see it on this soon-to-be warm Monday in January 2018. Hope you enjoyed my slightly rambling story.

Until next time,

Michael